I feel bad for Reem he is the champ of his promotion, and from the way he describes it he has to challenge people to move up the ladder of which he is already atop of. Guys should be challenging him, not the other way around.
I hope werdum will submit him , then submit Fedor one more time. (i dont believe that fedor is the best ,but he is still way better than antonio silva ,hell probably win)
i know im gonna start a battle n all but, whatever.
I personally believe that this WONT prove who the number one HW is, the truth is, none of those strikeforce HW (besides maybe barnett) is a big strong wrestler... im not saying none of the SF heavyweights can wrestle at all, but there is no cain or carwin or even lesnar (im not a lesnar fan really, but u cant deny when he gets on top, hes a force to be reckoned with)... so thats my only question after this is all said n done... if allistair beats all these guys, i will absolutely agree he's the best stand up fighter, and NO HW can beat him that way.. but i wouldnt put it past a big strong wrestler to put him on his back n finish the fight via sub or gnp.... allistair has holes just like every other fighter n its undoubtably his ground game... i dont see allistair as being much more than an thiago alves, no one wants to stand, but top competition handles him decisively on the mat a la GSP... i will put allistair as #2 if he wins, n if fedor wins he is #1 (only cause he's proven to be great at stand up AND ground).. so if fedor can put away the likes of allistair on the feet, there will be no argument, having been on the ground with some of the best ever n winning, and being on the feet with some of the best ever and winning... we all agree? lol probly not!
It is highly likely that the winner of this tournament will be the #1 HW in the world in my opinion, and heres why...
The HW division is the weakest in MMA. It is also the most easily subject to change in terms of rankings (Big boys, small gloves, technique (but not always at as high a level as lower weights)). Fights can change in an instant, so recent form should weigh highly as a factor of rankings. A string of wins against the type of competition in this Grand-Prix should make the winner #1. A three fight win streak for any Heavyweight against top competition would likely put them at that spot. When you consider that Fedor, Reem, Werdum, Silva and Barnett are all in the tournament, the champion will have to beat out the likes of many of the worlds top heavyweights. I agree the tournament lacks a particular high level wrestler, but when all is said and done, and you look at the HW picture, I give the nod to the SF Grandprix winner (if not ranked #1, then definitely #2). Also by the time this tournament is over, I'm gussing the winner of Brock and JDS will have fought Cain. If Cain beats JDS, then IMO, i would put him at #1, IF, and only if, Fedor does not win the GP, or Alistair literally runs through everybody. And hey, better give some respect to Werdum hes got a tough road to the GP belt.
can you honestly hold these standards for all the participants, the bottom half of the bracket I believe is the easiest path to the finals, and lets say Brett Rodgers makes it, and land a wild punch in the finals and wins it all. Are you prepared to declare Rodgers the #1 HW? Not trying to argue just a moral question to anyone reading this. If you are willing to say Fedor, or the Reem would be number 1 if they win it all, would you say Rodgers is number 1 if he wins it all.
Well its not all about a title or winning the tournament. You have to examine all of the fighters bouts, but more importantly his recent ones. If Brett Rogers beats Barnett, Arlovski/Kharatonov, then the guy in the finals, I'm prepared to say he is a top Heabyweight, but probably not #1. Look at Frank Mir for example. He lost to Lesnar and Carwin, then he beat Cro Cop. If he beat Nelson then got a title shot against Cain/Brock/JDs and won, I'm pretty sure people might rank him #1 or #2.
That won't happen. Rogers could get lucky against Barnett. But it won't happen against Kharitonov>Arlovski or Fedor/Overeem. Luck doesn't put you at the top. Anyone could get lucky once, MAYBE twice, but 3X? Nah... won't happen. And if it does, then it's not luck and Rogers will deserve to have a rank somewhere. However, his game would need to seriously improve for this to happen. C'mon, you saw what Overeem did to him, right? My point exactly.
I see your point but would you change your mind if he smashes Barnette ? also you mentioned Carwin but i've only seen his defence wrestling in the UFC as for Lesnar if an opponent can match his strentgh and use underhooks he ain't getting it to the ground imo he's relies on his oppenents not reacting in time but obviously Cain is a different Story. imo the the UFC and SF HW divsion is pretty equal no matter Dana White says. I fully expect Dana to downplay Overeem as a top HW if he beats Werdum coz he cut him but he didn't get cut coz he's not good enough Werdum ddin't want to take a pay cut but that won't stop Dana from hating.
The Strikeforce Tournament will determine the best HW you believe it or not, the competence they are going to face will be just as the same level or higher than the UFC offers, they have 2 bJJ experts, 1 high calber wrestler, 1 K-1 Champion, the best HW in History and 3 of the most feared strikers, however wins this will have to go thru all kinds fighters that at the very top of the division. even if Rogers wins it will place him on the top of the HW for this year, Lesnar was consider the top of the div. with his one dimensional game so what would be the difference if Rogers or Kharitanov win the whole thing?
This makes no sense at all. Anderson Silva is p4p in most people's eyes and he's not even a wrestler. Georges St. Pierre is not predominantly a wrestler either and he is arguably the p4p king. Jose Aldo? Nope, try again. So, how does beating good wrestlers put you at the top? In lowkick's p4p top 10 rankings, there are only 3 that are wrestlers and they all fall below the 5th rank. The highest being Cain at no. 6. Brock and Carwin aren't even on the list. Alistair is no. 8 because of his talent and recent dominance in his fights, especially with his victory over recent UFC prospect, Todd Duffee. Dude, MMA doesn't revolve around wrestling and which wrestlers you've beat. That's why it's called MMA.
True, if Reem beats Werdum Dana will be like "who? the guy that we CUT?". and if he beats Fedor Dana will just say that Fedor was overrated to begin with. Just realise this guy will do anything to promote and protect his business and his opinion is obviously biased, it's a shame so many fans buy into it as fact just because the head of the company tells them.
We are hopefully all aware that there are a lot of heavyweights at Strikeforce who would be very competitive in the UFC and this upcoming tournament is more important and exciting than anything the UFC will be able to conjure up in the heavyweight landscape this year.
Very nice take on the whole situation. Dana is being the business man that he is. Not everything he says is right but a lot of people watch him so he is going to try and influence people to watch the UFC and discredit everyone else.
Yeah, it doesn't matter what anyone at Strikeforce or any other organistation does, he's not going to give them respect. It's like everyone just wants to prove him wrong and have him turn around and say "oh yeah okay, I was wrong, this guy is great". But it doesn't work like that. I believe he does know how great fighters like Overeem are, he's just putting business interests ahead of his love for the sport.
If Rogers beats top 3 fighters yes he wuld be n1 HW in the World he got better KO record than JDS,Carwin and Lesnar alwredy .Who in UFC gona beat top 3 HW Cain is injured any one in SG can be the n 1
Overeem is a classy guy. It takes class to take insults with equanimity, without resorting to the same tactics.
No matter what Dana White says, he knows the Strikeforce HW tournament is a legitmate threat to the UFC HW division. The Strikeforce HW division is no minor league to the UFC major league.
If Strikeforce is successful with this HW tournament, then more money will be attracted to the Strikeforce brand, allowing them to add depth to other weight divisions through the simple fact that they will be able to pay more fighters higher salaries.
SO let me see, Overeem thinks Fedors manager and camp is afraid to fight him cause Fedor might lose but Overeem also thinks they dont respect him as a fighter?
I'm so pumped for this tournament, but when you look at an individual card, aside from the top 2 fights, it's nothing SPECTACULAR. Don't get me wrong, I am super pumped. It's definitely the fact that each fight has so much meaning and we haven't seen this kind of tournament in a top promotion for a few years!
Comments
He'll get an opportunity to earn the respect.
Ya it's time to see whether all the hype about Reem is real or not...I think its legit but a win over Werdum n Fedor will solidify my belief
I feel bad for Reem he is the champ of his promotion, and from the way he describes it he has to challenge people to move up the ladder of which he is already atop of. Guys should be challenging him, not the other way around.
I hope werdum will submit him , then submit Fedor one more time. (i dont believe that fedor is the best ,but he is still way better than antonio silva ,hell probably win)
Don't worry REEM your time is coming.
i know im gonna start a battle n all but, whatever.
I personally believe that this WONT prove who the number one HW is, the truth is, none of those strikeforce HW (besides maybe barnett) is a big strong wrestler... im not saying none of the SF heavyweights can wrestle at all, but there is no cain or carwin or even lesnar (im not a lesnar fan really, but u cant deny when he gets on top, hes a force to be reckoned with)... so thats my only question after this is all said n done... if allistair beats all these guys, i will absolutely agree he's the best stand up fighter, and NO HW can beat him that way.. but i wouldnt put it past a big strong wrestler to put him on his back n finish the fight via sub or gnp.... allistair has holes just like every other fighter n its undoubtably his ground game... i dont see allistair as being much more than an thiago alves, no one wants to stand, but top competition handles him decisively on the mat a la GSP... i will put allistair as #2 if he wins, n if fedor wins he is #1 (only cause he's proven to be great at stand up AND ground).. so if fedor can put away the likes of allistair on the feet, there will be no argument, having been on the ground with some of the best ever n winning, and being on the feet with some of the best ever and winning... we all agree? lol probly not!
It is highly likely that the winner of this tournament will be the #1 HW in the world in my opinion, and heres why...
The HW division is the weakest in MMA. It is also the most easily subject to change in terms of rankings (Big boys, small gloves, technique (but not always at as high a level as lower weights)). Fights can change in an instant, so recent form should weigh highly as a factor of rankings. A string of wins against the type of competition in this Grand-Prix should make the winner #1. A three fight win streak for any Heavyweight against top competition would likely put them at that spot. When you consider that Fedor, Reem, Werdum, Silva and Barnett are all in the tournament, the champion will have to beat out the likes of many of the worlds top heavyweights. I agree the tournament lacks a particular high level wrestler, but when all is said and done, and you look at the HW picture, I give the nod to the SF Grandprix winner (if not ranked #1, then definitely #2). Also by the time this tournament is over, I'm gussing the winner of Brock and JDS will have fought Cain. If Cain beats JDS, then IMO, i would put him at #1, IF, and only if, Fedor does not win the GP, or Alistair literally runs through everybody. And hey, better give some respect to Werdum hes got a tough road to the GP belt.
can you honestly hold these standards for all the participants, the bottom half of the bracket I believe is the easiest path to the finals, and lets say Brett Rodgers makes it, and land a wild punch in the finals and wins it all. Are you prepared to declare Rodgers the #1 HW? Not trying to argue just a moral question to anyone reading this. If you are willing to say Fedor, or the Reem would be number 1 if they win it all, would you say Rodgers is number 1 if he wins it all.
If Brett wins that would be impressive haha.
Well its not all about a title or winning the tournament. You have to examine all of the fighters bouts, but more importantly his recent ones. If Brett Rogers beats Barnett, Arlovski/Kharatonov, then the guy in the finals, I'm prepared to say he is a top Heabyweight, but probably not #1. Look at Frank Mir for example. He lost to Lesnar and Carwin, then he beat Cro Cop. If he beat Nelson then got a title shot against Cain/Brock/JDs and won, I'm pretty sure people might rank him #1 or #2.
That won't happen. Rogers could get lucky against Barnett. But it won't happen against Kharitonov>Arlovski or Fedor/Overeem. Luck doesn't put you at the top. Anyone could get lucky once, MAYBE twice, but 3X? Nah... won't happen. And if it does, then it's not luck and Rogers will deserve to have a rank somewhere. However, his game would need to seriously improve for this to happen. C'mon, you saw what Overeem did to him, right? My point exactly.
@FirstnLast
I see your point but would you change your mind if he smashes Barnette ? also you mentioned Carwin but i've only seen his defence wrestling in the UFC as for Lesnar if an opponent can match his strentgh and use underhooks he ain't getting it to the ground imo he's relies on his oppenents not reacting in time but obviously Cain is a different Story. imo the the UFC and SF HW divsion is pretty equal no matter Dana White says. I fully expect Dana to downplay Overeem as a top HW if he beats Werdum coz he cut him but he didn't get cut coz he's not good enough Werdum ddin't want to take a pay cut but that won't stop Dana from hating.
The Strikeforce Tournament will determine the best HW you believe it or not, the competence they are going to face will be just as the same level or higher than the UFC offers, they have 2 bJJ experts, 1 high calber wrestler, 1 K-1 Champion, the best HW in History and 3 of the most feared strikers, however wins this will have to go thru all kinds fighters that at the very top of the division. even if Rogers wins it will place him on the top of the HW for this year, Lesnar was consider the top of the div. with his one dimensional game so what would be the difference if Rogers or Kharitanov win the whole thing?
This makes no sense at all. Anderson Silva is p4p in most people's eyes and he's not even a wrestler. Georges St. Pierre is not predominantly a wrestler either and he is arguably the p4p king. Jose Aldo? Nope, try again. So, how does beating good wrestlers put you at the top? In lowkick's p4p top 10 rankings, there are only 3 that are wrestlers and they all fall below the 5th rank. The highest being Cain at no. 6. Brock and Carwin aren't even on the list. Alistair is no. 8 because of his talent and recent dominance in his fights, especially with his victory over recent UFC prospect, Todd Duffee. Dude, MMA doesn't revolve around wrestling and which wrestlers you've beat. That's why it's called MMA.
True, if Reem beats Werdum Dana will be like "who? the guy that we CUT?". and if he beats Fedor Dana will just say that Fedor was overrated to begin with. Just realise this guy will do anything to promote and protect his business and his opinion is obviously biased, it's a shame so many fans buy into it as fact just because the head of the company tells them.
We are hopefully all aware that there are a lot of heavyweights at Strikeforce who would be very competitive in the UFC and this upcoming tournament is more important and exciting than anything the UFC will be able to conjure up in the heavyweight landscape this year.
@overhand right
Very nice take on the whole situation. Dana is being the business man that he is. Not everything he says is right but a lot of people watch him so he is going to try and influence people to watch the UFC and discredit everyone else.
Yeah, it doesn't matter what anyone at Strikeforce or any other organistation does, he's not going to give them respect. It's like everyone just wants to prove him wrong and have him turn around and say "oh yeah okay, I was wrong, this guy is great". But it doesn't work like that. I believe he does know how great fighters like Overeem are, he's just putting business interests ahead of his love for the sport.
When you think about it Alistair is taking a huge risk here if he does not win the tournament and he wants to join UFC it will be almost impossible.
I want Fedor to win the whole thing and retire as the best ever but is time for the Reem to shine...
If Rogers beats top 3 fighters yes he wuld be n1 HW in the World he got better KO record than JDS,Carwin and Lesnar alwredy .Who in UFC gona beat top 3 HW Cain is injured any one in SG can be the n 1
Overeem is a classy guy. It takes class to take insults with equanimity, without resorting to the same tactics.
No matter what Dana White says, he knows the Strikeforce HW tournament is a legitmate threat to the UFC HW division. The Strikeforce HW division is no minor league to the UFC major league.
If Strikeforce is successful with this HW tournament, then more money will be attracted to the Strikeforce brand, allowing them to add depth to other weight divisions through the simple fact that they will be able to pay more fighters higher salaries.
In the end, the fans and fighters will win.
SO let me see, Overeem thinks Fedors manager and camp is afraid to fight him cause Fedor might lose but Overeem also thinks they dont respect him as a fighter?
"his management are just.......di(kheads"
hehehe
I'm so pumped for this tournament, but when you look at an individual card, aside from the top 2 fights, it's nothing SPECTACULAR. Don't get me wrong, I am super pumped. It's definitely the fact that each fight has so much meaning and we haven't seen this kind of tournament in a top promotion for a few years!
After looking at the Strikeforce 33 card... I take my above comment back.
Overeem/Werdum
Barnett/Rogers
Moussasi/Kyle
Melendez/Kawajri
That's one of, if not the top, events of the year